When it comes to dinner parties, Ina Garten is the queen. And this week Ina is helping you throw your next dinner party with a menu that is designed to be made ahead. Because making it ahead is the key to everything that Ina says makes a great party: you'll be relaxed, and you'll have more fun.

Today we have everything you need to put this menu together from start to finish — whether it's for a dinner party or simply a Friday night in with your family.

A Colorful Vegetarian Dinner Party

The other beautiful thing about this menu is that, with just a few minor omissions, it's vegetarian. And yet I wouldn't even mention this fact to a mixed table of omnivores and vegetarians; it's so hearty, so satisfying, that the question of meat is a non-issue.

I also love how vibrant and colorful Ina's recipes are. We're still on the cusp of spring, and it's not quite time for summer's crops to come rolling in. A rich, warm lasagna is still appreciated, as is the soup.

Prepare and completely bake the Banana Crumb Cake. Wrap it well and let it sit at room temperature overnight.

Prepare the dressing for the salad and refrigerate.

Dinner Timeline

1h:00 before guests arrive

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Bake the Spanish Tapas Peppers for 35 to 40 minutes.

Toss the salad with the dressing and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Make the whipped cream for the dessert and refrigerate in a sealed container until ready to serve.

0:15 before guests arrive

Transfer the tapas to a serving platter and set out for guests to nibble as they arrive.

Lower the the oven to 350°F.

Put the lasagna in the oven to bake and set a timer for 6o minutes.

0:00 — Guests arrive!

Open wine and serve the tapas.

Place the frozen dinner rolls, wrapped in foil, in the oven with the lasagna and bake until warmed through, 15 to 20 minutes. (Note: This is a slightly warmer oven temperature than recommended in our directions; just keep an eye on the rolls and remove from the oven when they're warmed through.)

0:30 after guests arrive

Invite everyone to the table.

Serve the soup with dinner rolls.

0:45 after guests arrive

Check the lasagna and remove from the oven when the top is browned and bubbly (60 to 70 minutes total baking time).

Bring the lasagna to the table and let it rest about 10 minutes while the guests are finishing their soup.